Book Nerds Across America

Book Summary
Gayle King shares her favorite inspiring letters from the popular CBS This Morning segment Note to Self, in which twenty-first century luminaries pen advice and encouragement to the young people they once were.

What do Congressman John Lewis, Dr. Ruth, Kesha, and Kermit the Frog wish they could tell their younger selves? What about a gay NFL player or the most successful female racecar driver? In Note to Self, CBS This Morning cohost Gayle King shares some of the most memorable letters from the broadcast’s popular segment of the same name. With essays from such varied figures as Oprah, Vice President Joe Biden, Chelsea Handler, and Maya Angelou—as well as poignant words from a Newtown father and a military widow—Note to Self is a lovely reflection on the joys and challenges of growing up and a perfect gift for any occasion.

Flo's Review
This audiobook right here was a conglomeration of so many of my favorite things about books and audiobooks. I love audiobooks. I love autobiographies read by the author. I love the whole 'letter to my younger self' trope. (I'm calling this a trope, because I've seen it done at least two other times that I can think of. What do you think? Do you consider it a trope?)

Anyway, this audiobook takes all of those things and ups the game by about 50. Because this is a combination of a whole bunch of amazing people reading their letters to their younger selves. I love that we get to hear them all. The letters were all fantastic. I was literally teary eyed listening to most of them. So many were sad but also hopeful. So many stories of overcoming. A lot of people with strong faith. These letters, all together, display what it mean to be human -- to doubt, to love, to challenge yourself, to overcome, to learn, to grow. 

The only bad thing about listening to the audiobook as opposed to reading it was that there were so many great quotes that I would have loved to flag, underline, highlight. 

At the end of the book, Gayle King encourages the reader to write her own letter to self. It's a great exercise. I did one for my review of Dear Teen Me and really enjoyed it.

All the hearts and stars for Note to Self!

Book Nerds Across America is happy to host a stop on the Dear Teen Me Blog Tour! This book is just the bestest thing ever. It was inspired by a blog that became so popular that it led to a book. I really enjoyed reading this one for several reasons. First, since it's not a straight, chronological story, I just hopped around reading letters here and there that caught my eye. I kept saying to myself, "Okay, just one more and then I'll stop..." but then I'd thumb through and find another one. Secondly, it's more than just letters: there are pictures of bad hair and cartoons and Q & As...it's a whole lot of fun! Third, a variety of letters was nicely assembled. Some made me laugh, some made me nostalgic, and some even brought me to tears. The letters covered everything from crushes to thoughts of suicide and everything in between. It just goes to show what a memorable time of your life your teens are, no matter what the reason. Of course, as I was reading it, I was thinking of two things: First, this song that I love by Brad Paisley called "Letter To Me," which is basically what this book is about:


Isn't it great?! Second, it made me want to write my own Dear Teen Me letter. Click on the "More" button to hear what I have to say to my teen self after the jump.